Webinars

Dr. Eric Achtyes and Dr. John Torous led this webinar exploring how digital tools—from mobile apps to artificial intelligence—are reshaping clinical practice in psychiatry. The session examined how these technologies are being integrated into patient care, the importance of evaluation and safeguards, and the role of clinicians in guiding responsible adoption. Attendees gained insights into the current landscape, emerging opportunities, and how physicians can engage with evolving tools to support safe and effective care.

Speaker: Eric D. Achtyes, MD, MS Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

Moderated by: John Torous, MD, MBI Cofounder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

As digital mental health technologies (DMHTs) evolve, the lack of standardized classification presents challenges for research, regulation, and clinical use. In this webinar, Holly Coole, Dr Gareth Hopkin, and Dr. John Torous discusses a newly developed framework that categorizes DMHTs across eight key domains, providing a structured approach to improve clarity and application. Join us to examine how this framework can support stakeholders in evaluating and implementing DMHTs effectively.

The webinar will was held on April 24, 2025, at 11 AM EST/8 AM PST/3 PM GMT.t.

Despite significant innovation in the mental health app space, low app usage has constrained their impact. In this webinar, Jane Mikkelson, Bridget Dwyer, and Dr. John Torous will discuss how digital phenotyping can personalize mobile app recommendations to improve user engagement. They will also talk about the crucial role of habit formation in sustaining app use and how the real-world applications of this research can enhance mental health support.

The highlighted paper in this webinar: https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e62725
The webinar was held on February 28

Panelist of this webinar: Bridget Dwyer and Jane Mikkelson
Moderated by: John Torous, MD, MBI, Cofounder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

How does internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy (i-CBT) impact mental health in the long run? While its short-term benefits are well established, its lasting effects are still being explored. Join Dr. Nur Hani Zainal and Dr. John Torous as they discuss the role of guided support, participant motivation, and treatment duration in improving long-term mental health outcomes. Speakers: Dr. Nur Hani Zainal, National University of Singapore Dr. John Torous, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center This webinar is part of our spotlight series on rising talent in Digital Mental Health, presented by The Society of Digital Psychiatry in collaboration with JMIR Mental Health.

With so much information available online, the internet's impact on young people's mental health has become a growing concern worldwide. Join Mariana Bolivar, Tawanada Murepa and Dr John Torous as they reflect upon MQ’s latest report on the mental health impact of internet use on young people. This webinar will provide a thorough review of what is currently known about the internet's effects on young people's mental health, and also identify gaps for future research to create a safer, healthier, and empowering digital world for young people everywhere. 

The webinar was held on November 27, 2024.

The highlighted report in this webinar:

https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/mental...

Panelist of this webinar:

Mariana Bolivar, MSc

Tawanda Murepa, BSc

Moderated by:

​John Torous, MD, MBI, Cofounder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

As global mental health challenges rise, traditional care systems are increasingly struggling to meet the growing demand for mental health support. In response, large language models (LLMs) are emerging as promising tools, offering scalable solutions that could potentially transform the future of mental health care. Join Dr Megan Jones Bell and Dr John Torous for a timely discussion on the use of AI-driven solutions to create impactful, scalable support while also addressing the risks and ethical challenges associated with their use.

The webinar was held on October 30, 2024.

The highlighted paper in this webinar: https://mental.jmir.org/2024/1/e59479

Panelist of this webinar:

Megan Jones Bell, PsyD

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Moderated by:John Torous, MD, MBI, Cofounder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

Digital therapeutics include web-based programs, mobile apps, and wearable devices that use software-driven methods to prevent, treat, or manage various clinical conditions. Within mental health care, these tools offer innovative ways to support patients by providing evidence-based interventions that can enhance access to care, track symptoms in real-time, and offer personalized treatment options. Join us for an enlightening discussion with Dr. Abhi Pratap and Dr. John Torous as they delve into the growing field of digital therapeutics, highlighting their applications in mental health care, discussing emerging research, and exploring the potential for these technologies to complement traditional treatment approaches.

The webinar was held on September 25, 2024.

Find out more about JMIR Mental Health: https://mental.jmir.org

Panelist of this webinar:

Abhi Pratap, PhD

Moderated by:

John Torous, MD, MBI, Cofounder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

Historically, the use of digital technology has been cautiously avoided in the treatment of eating disorders. However, recent advancements have brought artificial intelligence (AI) into the fold.  While this shift has sparked some controversy, it presents exciting opportunities to leverage AI and digital technologies to better support individuals with eating disorders and their communities. 

The panelists delve into the controversies and opportunities surrounding the use of AI for eating disorder support, They also shared insights from their pioneering work of implementing a rule-based chatbot in the National Eating Disorder Information Centre. 

The webinar was held on August 28, 2024.

Find out more about JMIR Mental Health: https://mental.jmir.org

Panelist of this webinar:

Gemma Sharp, PhD

Sara Marini, BA 

Moderated by:

John Torous, MD, MBI, Cofounder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

​Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders worldwide. Its far-reaching impact underscores its status as a significant public health concern, necessitating advanced research and development to tackle its intricate challenges. In this webinar, Dr Kim Bullock, MD, and Dr Margot Paul, PsyD, jointly discussed the feasibility, acceptability, tolerability, and efficacy of using an immersive virtual reality device to engage in behavioral activation among adults diagnosed with depression. They also explored how participant acceptability differs between a more immersive versus simpler device.

The webinar was held on July 31, 2024

Find out more about JMIR Mental Health: https://mental.jmir.org

Panelist of this webinar:

John Torous, MD, MBI, Cofounder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

Kim Bullock, MD

Margot Paul, PsyD 

This webinar will explore the intersection of social media, the internet, and early intervention in mental health care. Dr Michael Birnbaum will discuss his current exploration of how social media and the internet can influence pathways to care for adolescents and young adults with early signs of psychiatric disorders. We will also discuss the potential of these digital platforms for the timely identification, outreach, engagement, and care of youth experiencing mental illness. This topic is particularly relevant as the increasing prevalence of mental health issues among young people coincides with their growing use of social media, making it essential to understand and leverage these digital tools for effective early intervention and support.

The webinar was held on June 26, 2024

Find out more about JMIR Mental Health: https://mental.jmir.org

Panelist of this webinar:

John Torous, MD, MBI, Cofounder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

Michael Birnbaum, MD

The eMental Health International Collaborative (eMHIC) comprises global leaders and experts sharing their knowledge to enhance mental health outcomes worldwide. Join Dr John Torous, co-founder of the Society of Digital Psychiatry and editor-in-chief of JMIR Mental Health in conversation with Dr Anil Thapiyal, executive director of eMental Health International Collaborative, as they talk about a future where individuals can access digital mental health resources openly and conveniently. 

The webinar was held on April 29, 2024, at 4 PM ET.

Find out more about JMIR Mental Health: https://mental.jmir.org

Panelist of this webinar:

John Torous, MD, MBI, Cofounder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

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Professor Anil Thapiyal

Smartphone apps offer a novel approach for delivering psychological treatments across a range of mental health conditions. Dr. Imogen Bell will share her research on the Mello app (https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e47860) for depression/anxiety, focusing on translating ideas into clinically useful applications and exploring how new ideas can progress through funding, clinical studies, published papers, and real-world implementation. Discussion topics for this webinar will include the future of apps in psychiatry, best practices for user-centered design, global mental health collaborations, and clinical implementation considerations.

The webinar was held on April 29, 2024, at 7 PM ET.

Find out more about JMIR Mental Health: https://mental.jmir.org

Panelist of this webinar:

John Torous, MD, MBI, Cofounder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

Imogen Bell, PhD 

With the rapid acceleration of digital mental health, there is a growing need to ensure that the field delivers on its potential to increase access and quality of care, and that everyone has a voice in shaping that change. This discussion will examine the equity, validity, effectiveness, and implementation of cutting-edge, innovative approaches in digital mental health. Join Ms Keris Myrick, a leading mental health advocate, and Dr John Torous, editor in chief of JMIR Mental Health, as they discuss some of the key ideas in their joint publication, “Focusing on Digital Research Priorities for Advancing the Access and Quality of Mental Health.” 

The webinar was held on March 28, 2024, at 3 PM ET.

Find out more about JMIR Mental Health: https://mental.jmir.org

Panelist of this webinar:

John Torous, MD, MBI, Cofounder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

Keris Myrick, MS, MBA 

The voice of lived experience has gained increased prominence in mental health research. Further, the field has witnessed greater global investment and a breakdown of silos. Yet, headline-grabbing breakthroughs remain elusive. What does the sector need to do to undergo the kinds of advances seen in other health sectors? This is one of the many thought-provoking questions that we intend to delve into during this discussion.

As a funder and advisor for mental health and addiction, Lea Milligan, CEO of MQ Mental Health Research, sets the challenge for bolder decision-making by industry, regulators, and researchers alike to see lives transformed. This discussion will cover the types of research necessary to lead to true breakthroughs, explore how funders approach the field, and review new approach (as well as funding) calls that the community should be aware of.

Find out more about JMIR Mental Health: https://mental.jmir.org

Panelist of this webinar:

John Torous, MD, MBI, Cofounder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

Lea Milligan, CEO, MQ Mental Health Research

MQ Fellowships 2024 webinar on Mon, 11 Mar 2024: 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mq-fel...

The ongoing advancement of generative AI (GAI) demands a thoughtful approach to ethical considerations of both its design and application. GAI models, demonstrating skills like language generation, image synthesis, and personalized mental health support, necessitate responsible application in mental health, requiring thorough scrutiny and guidance.

In this webinar, we examined the evolving role of GAI in mental health. Our discussion was be led by two guest editors of the new JMIR Mental Health theme issue (https://mental.jmir.org/announcements...) dedicated to this topic. We explored recent advancements, emerging trends, and research opportunities. This webinar has been thoughtfully designed to provide a brief yet highly informative session, ensuring attendees have access to engaging, relevant, and accessible resources.

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Find out more about JMIR Mental Health: https://mental.jmir.org

JMIR Mental Health is currently accepting submissions to the theme issue on Responsible Design, Integration, and Use of Generative AI in Mental Health. For more information, visit https://mental.jmir.org/announcements....

Panelists in this webinar: 

John Torous, MD, MBI, Co-founder, Society of Digital Psychiatry

Dr Torous is director of the digital psychiatry division in the Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Harvard Medical School affiliated teaching hospital, where he also serves as a staff psychiatrist and academic faculty. He has a background in electrical engineering and computer sciences and received an undergraduate degree in the field from UC Berkeley before attending medical school at UC San Diego. He completed his psychiatry residency, fellowship in clinical informatics, and master's degree in biomedical informatics at Harvard. Dr Torous is active in investigating the potential of mobile mental health technologies for psychiatry and has published over 75 peer-reviewed articles and 5 book chapters on the topic. He is editor-in-chief of JMIR Mental Health, currently leads the American Psychiatric Association's work group on the evaluation of smartphone apps, and is an advisor to the smartphone mood study within the NIH's one million person All of Us research program.

Amir Tal, PhD

Amir Tal holds a PhD in Community Mental Health, and has been promoting research and practice in this field for the past two decades. Dr Tal serves as the Academic Coordinator of the Samueli Foundation Initiative for responsible artificial intelligence in medicine at Tel Aviv University. His research focuses on recovery and inclusion, digital mental health, and most recently on responsible AI in medicine.

Oren Asman, PhD 

Dr Oren Asman a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, and Director of the Samueli Foundation Initiative for responsible artificial intelligence in medicine at Tel Aviv University. He is a lawyer, chairs a psychiatric hospital ethics committee, and chairs district psychiatric review committees discussing involuntary psychiatric commitment decisions.  His research focuses on bioethics, neuroethics, mental health law, and responsible AI in medicine.